SPRINGBOK scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse will make his long-awaited return from injury for the Sharks XV in their Currie Cup clash with Griquas this afternoon at 3pm.
It has been a long road back for Hendrikse, who suffered the injury playing in a United Rugby Championship game four months ago.
Hendrikse will start for the Sharks XV at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, with Bradley Davids dropping to the bench.
Hendrikse’s return is one of three changes made by coach JP Pietersen to the side that drew 44-44 with the Pumas in Nelspruit last week.
In the only change to the pack, Mawande Mdanda gets a start at tighthead prop in place of Trevor Nyakane, who is left out of the matchday-23 after making his Sharks XV debut at Mbombela Stadium.
Veteran Yaw Penxe is back on the wing for Jaco Williams.
Pietersen said he is delighted to have a Springbok back in his youthful team.
“It is exciting for Jaden to play again after a long injury and while the Boks are away with the Rugby Championship, this is a good opportunity for him to get game time,” Pietersen said. “There is a scrumhalf pecking order at the Boks. It is healthy and Jaden is happy to be back on the pitch.
“And as a coach, you can’t say no to have a World Cup winner back. We have an inexperienced squad and to have Jaden guiding them around is invaluable. He also has X factor but I have told him there is no pressure on him to perform. He must just play and we expect no miracles from him.”
Sharks XV — 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Litelihle Bester, 12 Jurenzo Julius, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Nick Hatton (c), 7 Jannes Potgieter, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Batho Hlekani, 3 Mawande Mdanda, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Braam Reyneke.
Subs: 16 Bryce Calvert, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Kabous Bezuidenhout, 19 Hennie Sieberhagen, 20 Siya Ningiza, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Chris Horak, 23 Anthony Volmink.